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Does Your Chevy Need an Alternator Repair?

Alternator | Park Hills Chevrolet in Park Hills, MO
Strange noises under the hood, warning lights, and starting difficulties can all be signs of an alternator problem. Your Chevy depends on its alternator to supply the electrical power for all its systems. As your reliable Chevy dealer, we can fix any of these problems for you. These are signs you may need to visit our service department for an alternator repair.

Battery Warning Light

The battery warning light is usually one of the first signs that you could have an alternator problem. This warning light is connected to sensors that monitor your car's electoral system, including the alternator and the battery. These sensors constantly feed information to your car's computer to enable it to make its decisions. An alternator that's failing starts to generate less power. A healthy alternator produces approximately 14.5 volts, but as the power drops, your electrical system will suffer problems. This power drop is gradual but irreversible. If one of the alternator sensors detects less than 12 volts from the alternator, it will cause your computer to illuminate the light. We'll test your alternator and replace it if it's failing before the problem gets worse.

Strange Noises

Under normal circumstances, you should only hear a slight background sound from under the hood. Your Chevy engine is designed to operate quietly yet efficiently. Screeching, grinding, or clunking noises are signs something is going wrong and needs investigation ASAP. They could signal a worn alternator belt, a broken alternator bearing, or an internal failure in the alternator. The alternator belt, for example, powers the alternator and enables it to spin and produce electricity. This belt runs across a series of pulleys. We routinely check the alternator belt during your scheduled services as this belt is subject to wear and damage as it works. A belt that hasn't been replaced could stretch or even snap and shut down your car's electrical supply. Our technicians will investigate and repair the problem.

Starting Problem

Your Chevy should start almost immediately after you hit the start button. If you hear laboring noises from your engine, you could have an alternator problem. The battery is responsible for powering the starter motor, but it depends on the alternator to recharge it. As we've seen, a failing alternator produces less power than it previously did and this affects the battery's recharging level. A failing alternator that doesn't supply enough power to recharge the battery will prevent your car from starting easily as it's designed to. We will test the alternator and replace it with a new one if it's the source of the problem. A damaged or worn-out alternator will cause numerous problems that get worse over time. Call us today at Park Hills Chevrolet – our experienced service technicians are ready and waiting to get your beloved vehicle in tip-top shape!
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Motor oil performs a number of vital tasks that keep your engine healthy. Not only does oil lubricate the moving parts and keep friction to a minimum, but it also cleans the engine and protects against acid and corrosion. However, when motor oil gets old, it starts to lose its lubricating, cleaning, and protective properties and your engine suffers as a result. Here are the main signs that you need to visit your Chevy dealer for an oil change soon. 5 Signs Your Chevy Needs an Oil Change Your Oil Is Low in Volume When you use the dipstick to check the level of your oil, if it's lower than the "safe" level marked on the dipstick, have the oil topped up or changed at once. Oil tends to reduce in volume over time because of the engine's heat. A leak somewhere might also be causing the oil level to fall. If the level of your oil diminishes at a surprising rate, have a technician check the pistons, valve, and pan for signs of a leak. Your Oil Has Become Thick and Dirty While checking your oil, also pay attention to its color and consistency. When in good condition, motor oil is translucent yellow, smooth, and runny. As it ages, degrades, and collects contaminants from the engine, motor oil darkens and becomes thicker, grainier, and dirtier. While a darkened hue alone doesn't necessarily mean that motor oil can't function well, a thickened, grainy quality usually means it's time to refresh it. Your Engine Starts Making Strange Noises As motor oil worsens in quality, friction rises and the moving mechanical parts inside the engine get noisier. So any unusual knocking, grinding, or ticking sounds from the engine may well indicate that the motor oil is low or degraded and needs to be refreshed. You Smell Something Burning From Inside the Cabin When motor oil gets old and friction rises, heat steadily increases inside the engine, which often generates a burning smell. Leaking motor oil might also cause a distinctive burning smell that the driver can detect from inside the car's cabin. You're Scheduled for Oil Servicing at Your Chevy Dealer The surest way to keep your oil in great condition at all times is to schedule routine servicing visits at your local dealership. You'll then receive reminders whenever it's time to refresh your motor oil. The sticker on the inside of your driver-side windshield will also remind you of the upcoming date, helping to ensure you never forget to refresh your oil on time. Have your motor oil checked and refreshed today at Park Hills Chevy. Our dealership provides a local one-stop shop for all Chevy purchasing, maintenance, and servicing needs.

2023 Chevy Trucks I Park Hills Chevrolet in Park Hills, MO

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Does Your Chevy Need a Tire Rotation?

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